Keep up with ‘fidelity/chastity’
vote with day-by-day ‘swing’chart
The Layman, February 17, 2009
The Layman now makes it possible for you to monitor day by day how the swing vote may be changing the outcome in the denomination’s fourth referendum on the “fidelity/chastity” requirement in the Book of Order.
It appears that there is good chance that a majority (87) of the 173 presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church (USA) will vote to eliminate that requirement, clearing the path for the ordination of practicing homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders, adulterers and fornicators.
The Layman has identified 69 presbyteries that voted for G-6.0106b in 2001, but by relatively close margins. Nine of those presbyteries have already voted in favor of eliminating the requirement. Only one, St. Augustine, continued to support the ordination requirement. But St. Augustine’s support margin was sharply reduced – from 105-66 in 2001 to 75-68 this time.
The most recent shifts in vote were on Feb. 17 in Scioto Valley, Maumee and Great Rivers presbyteries.
In 2001, the presbyteries voted 127-46 in favor of the constitutional standard. None of the 46 is expected to switch sides this time.
But if 41 of the 66 presbyteries with close votes change this year, the Presbyterian Church (USA) will abandon its Biblical standards for sexual morality.
Presbyteries that have already voted are in bold type.
Presbyteries voting no in 2001 and yes this time
Current vote on Amendment B
Vote on A in 2001-02
Yes
No
Yes-No
Western NC
144
108
100-187
Lake Huron
43
32
42-64
E. Tennessee
81
66
No (voice)
Cimmaron
19
16
19-20
S. Illinois
68
56
69-77
Charlotte
133
124
124-167
Great Rivers
85
74
99-108
Maumee Valley
65
58
51-70
Scioto Valley
115
88
103-105
Alaska
No (15 – 24)
Arkansas
No (92 – 96)
Boise
No (20-20)
Central Neb.
No (24 – 39)
Detroit
No (102 – 111)
Eastminster
No (54 – 65)
Glacier
No (11 – 21)
Grace
No (109 – 154)
Greater Atl.
No (235 – 283)
Homestead
No (46 – 62)
Indian Nations
No (52 – 52)
James
No (130 – 190)
Kendall
No (8 – 22)
Kiskiminetas
No (35 – 76)
Lake Erie
No (37 – 65)
Lehigh
No (50 – 62)
Middle Tenn.
No (95 – 118)
MW Hanmi
No (0 – 44)
Minnesota Valleys
No (44 – 60)
Mission
No (164 – 235)
Missouri River Valley
No (65 – 68)
Missouri Union
No (34 – 46)
Nevada
No (20 – 41)
New Hope
No (153 – 159)
Newark
No (34 – 40)
North Central Iowa
No (46 – 65)
N. Puget Sd.
No (39 – 73)
North. Plains
No (35 – 51)
Northumberland
No (28 – 51)
Ohio Valley
No (74 – 90)
Pacific
No (99 – 100)
Philadelphia
No (176 – 221)
Pittsburgh
No (130 – 280)
Providence
No (38 – 63)
Redstone
No (33 – 85)
Sacramento
No (69 – 106)
Salem
No (160 – 187)
San Gabriel
No (97 – 181)
San Jose
Yes (86 – 75)
Seattle
No (109 – 188)
Shep. & Lap.
No (59 – 109)
S. Dakota
No (22 – 66)
South Louisiana
No (51 – 71)
St. Augustine
No (66 – 105)
Tampa Bay
No (63 – 142)
Transylvania
No (50 – 83)
Trinity
No (42 – 114)
Tropical Fla.
No (55 – 116)
Utah
No (21 – 32)
Wabash Val.
No (83 – 102)
West Jersey
No (80 – 83)
Western N.Y.
No action
Whitewater Valley
No (95 – 151)
Yellowstone
No (29 – 37)